The Laurel Highlands region surrounding Gray, Pennsylvania sits at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,800 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures often drop below 15°F while summer averages 75-85°F with high humidity. Mountain terrain throughout the area creates natural drainage patterns, causing seasonal water level changes in campground creeks and ponds.
What to do
Hiking access: Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground provides proximity to several regional trails. "We should have stayed another night so we could visit Fort Necessity NP just down the road but ran out of time," noted one visitor. The star-gazing platform offers night sky viewing opportunities despite needing some maintenance.
Fishing options: At Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing, guests can fish directly on property. "The cabin was great, very clean and cozy... We had 8 kids and 8 adults who all had a blast playing on the playground, floating down the creek, swimming in the pool, riding bicycles etc," reports one reviewer who enjoyed multiple activities during their stay.
Biking routes: The GAP trail runs directly through some local campgrounds, providing direct cycling access. According to one visitor, "The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground... If you are an RVer and seeking a place to park and ride along this trail, this is a perfect place to have the best of both worlds."
What campers like
Creek access: Several campsites feature direct stream frontage where children can play. According to a visitor at Friendship Village Campground, "The campground does maintain a policy of having to wear a shirt or a cover-up when not in the pool vicinity" while also offering "many playgrounds spread out across the property as well as a jumping pillow and a very well-built gaga ball pit."
Family events: Seasonal themed weekends occur throughout the camping season. "We went to Benner's meadow the end of September. Not many people were there and the seasonal campsites were mostly closed up for the winter," noted one late-season visitor who appreciated the quieter atmosphere during shoulder seasons.
Pool facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain swimming pools with varying regulations. One camper at Pioneer Lakes RV Park mentioned that "Wonderful staff and facilities. The roads around the camp ground could use some maintenance, especially on the hill side by the pool! All in all, a wonderful place to take your family camping!"
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with limited year-round options. At Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA at Four Seasons, a visitor noted: "After the weekend though, all the activity slows down. There are seasonal campers that stay around, and they're constantly working on improving and fixing up sites during the week."
Road conditions: Gravel roads dominate most campgrounds, affecting recreational options. One camper observed, "Roads are all gravel so no bikes or scooters for kids." Several reviews mention challenging terrain within campgrounds regardless of seasonal conditions.
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites throughout the region require significant leveling equipment. According to one camper, "We ended up on a grassy hill in the back. The spot was so unlevel there were 19 inches between my bottom step and the ground. This site was the same price as level ones closer to activities."
Tips for camping with families
Pet accommodations: Most campgrounds permit dogs with varying restrictions and dedicated facilities. At Double G Campground, one camper noted "Firewood is abundant, good quality, and cheap. Not a whole lot on the way of amenities, but it's a nice facility. Location is great, very close to the lake and the ski resort."
Playground access: Multiple age-appropriate play areas exist throughout regional campgrounds. "They have mini golf, fishing, and special events on weekends. The office staff are very friendly and helpful," reported one visitor about the family-friendly atmosphere.
Activity scheduling: Campground events typically cluster on weekends with quieter weekdays. "This campground is very clean and family friendly. They have mini golf, fishing, and special events on weekends," noted a visitor, highlighting the weekend-focused programming common throughout the area.
Tips from RVers
Connection quality: Campground utilities vary widely in placement and reliability. "The spot wasn't hard to level our RV but overall the sites are hilly and in fact the whole park is on a hill," observed one RVer staying at a park in the region.
Maintenance conditions: Facility upkeep differs significantly between locations. "The campground has new owners... Fresh new ideas can be seen all around from removal of older sheds, more identified walkways to moving of trees," noted a repeat visitor at one location, indicating ongoing improvements at some properties.
Site selection strategy: Reserving specific sites often incurs additional fees but provides positioning advantages. "We booked a site but chose not to pay to select which one. All the pictures looked great! We ended up on a grassy hill in the back," cautioned one camper about the importance of site selection when possible.
